Sale reports / Montana / Public Auction Yards / 2025-10-17

Public Auction Yards

Name: Public Auction Yards livestock auction prices — 2025-10-17
Creator: RaisedBeef
Published: 2025-10-17

Feeder Cattle · Slaughter Cattle · Replacement Cattle · Billings, Montana · Fri, Oct 17

● Final89 lots reportedUSDA AMS · slug 1776

← Oct 10Oct 17Oct 24 →

Feeder Cattle receipts

2,023 head

▲ 314 vs last sale 1,709▲ 424 vs year ago 1,599 · +26.5%

Slaughter Cattle receipts

245 head

▲ 80 vs last sale 165▲ 137 vs year ago 108 · +126.9%

Replacement Cattle receipts

72 head

▲ 32 vs last sale 40▲ 37 vs year ago 35 · +105.7%

Also sold hereRegular saleWed Oct 28, 2026

View

Reporter comment USDA

As filed

Compared to last week: Yearling cattle were all too lightly tested to develop any market trend. Yearling quality was mostly plain to average. Most yearlings were cut backs off summer video sales. Steer calves under 550 lbs sold mostly steady to 10.00 higher, while steer calves over 550 lbs sold mostly 5.00-10.00 lower. Heifer calves all sold steady to 5.00 higher. Demand was moderate to good for all calves on offer. While prices were higher than last week on most classes demand was uneven as limit lower CME feeder cattle positions pressured the feeder cattle market. Buyers showed caution as they bid on offerings today. Calf quality this sale was mixed from plain to very attractive. High quality calves sold on very good demand. Light weight calves suitable to develop into yearlings continue to sell on very good demand. Calves were mostly offered in small to moderate size packages. No load lots were seen this sale, however several partial loads were seen. Market activity was mostly moderate to active with a good mix of order buyers, and active internet bidding. Weigh up cows and bulls sold on good to very good demand. Demand for feeding cows remains very good. Some private buyers continue to buy cows away from slaughter buyers this sale. Demand was light to moderate for slaughter cows and good to very good for feeding cows. Slaughter cows were too lightly tested to develop any market trend. Feeding cows sold mostly 3.00-5.00 higher on all offerings compared to last Fridays sale. Weigh up conditions were average to below average. Several sets of cows were very full this sale. Cow and bull quality today was mostly average.

Weight class — the figures below change to match

Weight classPick one — the panels below update

Steers · summary 500–600 lb

Weighted average of every reported lot

500–600 lb steers averaged $457.65/cwt on 348 head. That ranks 6 of 6 comparable sales and sits +27.30 against this barn's trailing median of $430.35.

Average price

$457.65

348 head · 553 lb average

Value per head Derived

$2,532

Price × average weight ÷ 100

Grade differential Derived

$210

per head · Medium 1 over Large 1

$64.00/cwt at this weight

vs the market

−17.29

vs MT average

−11.39 vs national

What quality paid 500–600 lb

Frame and muscle grade

Frame / muscle	Avg wt	$/cwt	$/head	Head
Medium 1	515	480.00	2,472	3thin
Medium and Large 1	554	463.88	2,571	280
Medium and Large 1-2	553	433.90	2,399	50
Large 1	544	416.00	2,262	15thin

One grade step is worth $64.00/cwt here — about $210 a head. Across this sale the premium is widest at 300–400 lb. USDA reports each grade on its own line and never publishes the spread.

How it compared 500–600 lb

Same class and week · spot auction only

This sale348 hd

457.65

—

MT average4 barns · 1,862 hd

474.94

−17.29

National average176 barns · 29,227 hd

469.04

−11.39

This barn, trailing median6 sales

430.35

+27.30

A barn can sit above the state average at one weight and below it at another — check the class you actually sell.

This barn's trailing prices 500–600 lb

6 sales

Steers 500–600 lb: high $503.89, low $428.05, median $430.35 across 6 sales. Sales under 10 head in this class are excluded, so a thin day cannot swing the median or the ranking.

Slaughter cattle

By class and quality grade · $/cwt

Cull cows and bulls are graded, not weight-classed — grade is what moves the money here.

Class	Grade	Dressing	Avg wt	$/cwt	$/head	Head
Bulls	—	High	1,857	182.07	3,381	6thin
Cows	Breaker 75-80%	Average	1,633	173.65	2,836	25
Cows	Boner 80-85%	Low	1,427	173.38	2,474	110
Cows	Lean 85-90%	Average	1,214	154.56	1,877	98

Replacement cattle Per head

By class, stage and age

Bred stock and pairs are reported per head, not per hundredweight — these prices are never mixed with the $/cwt figures above.

Class	Stage	Age	Avg wt	$/head	Head
Bred Cows	1st/2nd Stage (1-6 mo)	Young (2-4 yrs)	1,138	$3,625	3thin
Bred Cows	1st/2nd Stage (1-6 mo)	Young/Middle Aged (2-8 yrs)	1,140	$3,300	13

Every lot, as filed

89 lots · USDA AMS · Public Auction Yards Livestock Cattle Auction - Billings, MT (Fri)

Nothing removed and nothing rounded — the same lots as the USDA report, with per-head values added. Grouped by class and set lightest first; USDA files them in sale-ring order.

Class	Weight	Grade / description	Avg wt	Price	Range	Per head	Head
Feeder Cattle · Steers28 lots · lightest first
Steers	150–200	Medium and Large 1-2Unweaned	197	750.00/cwt	750.00–750.00	1,478	3
Steers	250–300	Medium and Large 1-2Unweaned	293	690.00/cwt	690.00–690.00	2,022	2
Steers	300–350	Medium and Large 1Unweaned	318	688.62/cwt	680.00–690.00	2,190	15
Steers	350–400	Large 1Unweaned	360	540.00/cwt	540.00–540.00	1,944	2
Steers	350–400	Medium and Large 1Unweaned	368	613.00/cwt	600.00–622.50	2,256	11
Steers	350–400	Medium and Large 1-2Unweaned	384	567.26/cwt	537.50–572.00	2,178	33
Steers	400–450	Medium and Large 1Unweaned	421	569.20/cwt	550.00–585.00	2,396	39
Steers	400–450	Medium and Large 1-2Unweaned	431	534.54/cwt	475.00–560.00	2,304	19
Steers	450–500	Medium and Large 1-2Unweaned	461	471.75/cwt	450.00–510.00	2,175	9
Steers	450–500	Medium and Large 1Unweaned	469	542.02/cwt	502.50–587.50	2,542	123
Steers	500–550	Medium 1Unweaned	515	480.00/cwt	480.00–480.00	2,472	3
Steers	500–550	Medium and Large 1Unweaned	517	493.55/cwt	475.00–515.00	2,552	74
Steers	500–550	Large 1Unweaned	531	420.00/cwt	420.00–420.00	2,230	12
Steers	500–550	Medium and Large 1-2Unweaned	538	462.29/cwt	450.00–470.00	2,487	13
Steers	550–600	Medium and Large 1Full	556	420.00/cwt	420.00–420.00	2,335	9
Steers	550–600	Medium and Large 1-2Unweaned	558	423.93/cwt	417.00–429.00	2,366	37
Steers	550–600	Medium and Large 1Unweaned	568	454.74/cwt	428.00–472.00	2,583	197
Steers	550–600	Large 1Unweaned	595	400.00/cwt	400.00–400.00	2,380	3
Steers	600–650	Medium and Large 1Unweaned	621	424.04/cwt	416.00–431.00	2,633	168
Steers	600–650	Medium and Large 1-2Unweaned	631	399.00/cwt	399.00–399.00	2,518	5
Steers	600–650	Large 1Unweaned	636	382.03/cwt	380.00–388.00	2,430	30
Steers	650–700	Medium and Large 1-2Unweaned	671	381.60/cwt	380.00–384.00	2,561	10
Steers	650–700	Medium and Large 1Unweaned	673	397.42/cwt	397.00–400.00	2,675	21
Steers	700–750	Large 1Unweaned	703	373.00/cwt	373.00–373.00	2,622	12
Steers	700–750	Medium and Large 1-2	725	367.00/cwt	367.00–367.00	2,661	11
Steers	700–750	Medium and Large 1Unweaned	729	384.61/cwt	373.00–401.00	2,804	71
Steers	750–800	Large 1Unweaned	796	340.00/cwt	340.00–340.00	2,706	5
Steers	950–1000	Medium and Large 1Full	979	320.00/cwt	320.00–320.00	3,133	18
Feeder Cattle · Heifers31 lots · lightest first
Heifers	250–300	Medium and Large 2Unweaned	275	400.00/cwt	400.00–400.00	1,100	2
Heifers	250–300	Medium and Large 1-2Unweaned	283	590.00/cwt	590.00–590.00	1,670	3
Heifers	250–300	Medium and Large 1Unweaned	284	680.00/cwt	680.00–680.00	1,931	4
Heifers	300–350	Medium and Large 1-2Unweaned	336	534.18/cwt	517.50–560.00	1,795	31
Heifers	350–400	Medium and Large 1Unweaned	371	548.88/cwt	531.00–585.00	2,036	18
Heifers	350–400	Medium and Large 1-2Unweaned	381	487.46/cwt	445.00–507.50	1,857	36
Heifers	400–450	Medium and Large 1-2Unweaned	422	460.50/cwt	455.00–465.00	1,943	17
Heifers	400–450	Medium and Large 1Unweaned	432	501.27/cwt	485.00–517.50	2,165	92
Heifers	450–500	Medium and Large 1Full	463	405.00/cwt	405.00–405.00	1,875	5
Heifers	450–500	Large 1Unweaned	476	335.00/cwt	335.00–335.00	1,595	11
Heifers	450–500	Medium and Large 1-2Unweaned	478	413.52/cwt	395.00–420.00	1,977	43
Heifers	450–500	Medium and Large 1Unweaned	481	472.02/cwt	470.00–480.00	2,270	31
Heifers	500–550	Medium and Large 1Replacement	512	479.50/cwt	479.50–479.50	2,455	92
Heifers	500–550	Medium and Large 1-2Unweaned	519	389.97/cwt	385.00–412.50	2,024	40
Heifers	500–550	Medium and Large 1Unweaned	521	443.44/cwt	422.00–470.00	2,310	99
Heifers	550–600	Medium and Large 1Full	552	365.00/cwt	365.00–365.00	2,015	11
Heifers	550–600	Medium 2	570	347.50/cwt	347.50–347.50	1,981	12
Heifers	550–600	Medium and Large 1Unweaned	571	399.73/cwt	380.00–431.00	2,282	87
Heifers	550–600	Large 1Unweaned	588	346.00/cwt	346.00–346.00	2,034	36
Heifers	600–650	Medium and Large 1Unweaned	609	386.44/cwt	373.00–391.00	2,353	42
Heifers	600–650	Medium 2	613	342.50/cwt	342.50–342.50	2,100	6
Heifers	600–650	Medium and Large 1-2Unweaned	638	358.00/cwt	358.00–358.00	2,284	2
Heifers	600–650	Medium and Large 1Full	642	361.00/cwt	361.00–361.00	2,318	15
Heifers	650–700	Medium 1-2	663	340.00/cwt	340.00–340.00	2,254	2
Heifers	650–700	Medium and Large 1Unweaned	675	353.02/cwt	330.00–365.00	2,383	6
Heifers	650–700	Large 1Unweaned	685	326.00/cwt	326.00–326.00	2,233	5
Heifers	700–750	Medium 1-2	719	340.00/cwt	340.00–340.00	2,445	10
Heifers	700–750	Medium and Large 1Unweaned	731	302.00/cwt	302.00–302.00	2,208	5
Heifers	700–750	Medium and Large 1-2	747	343.00/cwt	343.00–343.00	2,562	5
Heifers	950–1000	Medium and Large 1-2	970	293.00/cwt	293.00–293.00	2,842	3
Heifers	950–1000	Medium and Large 1-2Unweaned	980	293.00/cwt	293.00–293.00	2,871	1
Feeder Cattle · Bulls3 lots · lightest first
Bulls	350–400	Medium and Large 1Unweaned	393	570.00/cwt	570.00–570.00	2,240	11
Bulls	550–600	Medium and Large 1Unweaned	578	390.00/cwt	390.00–390.00	2,254	2
Bulls	600–650	Medium and Large 1Unweaned	608	390.00/cwt	390.00–390.00	2,371	2
Slaughter Cattle · Bulls4 lots · lightest first
Bulls	—	—Return to Feed	1,535	169.00/cwt	169.00–169.00	2,594	1
Bulls	—	—	1,650	183.00/cwt	183.00–183.00	3,020	1
Bulls	—	—	1,873	169.73/cwt	163.00–176.00	3,179	2
Bulls	—	—	2,105	200.47/cwt	200.00–201.00	4,220	2
Slaughter Cattle · Cows16 lots · lightest first
Cows	—	Lean 85-90%Light Weight	935	120.00/cwt	120.00–120.00	1,122	1
Cows	—	Lean 85-90%Light Weight	975	100.00/cwt	100.00–100.00	975	1
Cows	—	Lean 85-90%	1,095	103.26/cwt	102.50–107.50	1,131	10
Cows	—	Lean 85-90%	1,139	115.51/cwt	112.00–120.00	1,316	11
Cows	—	Lean 85-90%Return to Feed	1,227	160.34/cwt	127.00–168.00	1,967	17
Cows	—	Lean 85-90%Return to Feed	1,254	170.66/cwt	168.00–178.00	2,140	58
Cows	—	Boner 80-85%Return to Feed	1,381	162.46/cwt	143.00–166.00	2,244	11
Cows	—	Boner 80-85%	1,415	140.00/cwt	140.00–140.00	1,981	1
Cows	—	Boner 80-85%Return to Feed	1,418	175.07/cwt	168.00–180.00	2,482	68
Cows	—	Boner 80-85%Return to Feed	1,457	182.96/cwt	180.00–186.00	2,666	24
Cows	—	Boner 80-85%	1,493	141.51/cwt	124.00–164.00	2,113	6
Cows	—	Breaker 75-80%Return to Feed	1,581	177.56/cwt	175.00–178.00	2,807	15
Cows	—	Breaker 75-80%Return to Feed	1,625	164.50/cwt	164.00–165.00	2,673	2
Cows	—	Breaker 75-80%	1,725	164.00/cwt	164.00–164.00	2,829	2
Cows	—	Breaker 75-80%	1,726	168.24/cwt	166.50–169.50	2,904	4
Cows	—	Breaker 75-80%	1,755	174.00/cwt	174.00–174.00	3,054	2
Replacement Cattle · Bred Cows2 lots · lightest first
Bred Cows	—	Medium and Large 1	1,138	3,625.00/head	3,625.00–3,625.00	3,625	3
Bred Cows	—	Medium and Large 1	1,140	3,300.00/head	3,300.00–3,300.00	3,300	13
Replacement Cattle · Stock Cows5 lots · lightest first
Stock Cows	—	Medium and Large 1-2	908	251.43/cwt	212.50–272.00	2,283	4
Stock Cows	—	Medium and Large 1	982	301.40/cwt	245.00–317.50	2,960	13
Stock Cows	—	Medium and Large 1-2	1,088	221.68/cwt	202.50–256.00	2,412	5
Stock Cows	—	Medium and Large 1	1,095	262.75/cwt	187.00–299.00	2,877	12
Stock Cows	—	Medium and Large 1Thin Fleshed	1,203	185.00/cwt	185.00–185.00	2,226	8

How this sale compares

Montana weighted averages

One sale is one barn on one day. The state ladder is every Montana auction USDA reported that week, weighted by head — the fairer test of whether a lot sold well.

Montana feeder prices, every weight →Every state and region →

Public Auction Yards Livestock Cattle Auction - Billings, MT (Fri)

Fri Oct 17, 2025

USDA Livestock, Poultry & Grain Market News · Federal-State Market News Service, Billings, MT (LS-BL)

Feeder CattleReceipts 2,023Last week 1,709Year ago 1,599

Slaughter CattleReceipts 245Last week 165Year ago 108

Replacement CattleReceipts 72Last week 40Year ago 35

Feeder Cattle

As reported

Head	Wt range	Avg wt	Price range	Avg price
Heifers — Medium and Large 1 · Unweaned$ per cwt · actual wt
4	250–300	284	680.00	680.00
18	350–400	371	531.00–585.00	548.88
92	400–450	432	485.00–517.50	501.27
31	450–500	481	470.00–480.00	472.02
99	500–550	521	422.00–470.00	443.44
87	550–600	571	380.00–431.00	399.73
42	600–650	609	373.00–391.00	386.44
6	650–700	675	330.00–365.00	353.02
5	700–750	731	302.00	302.00

Head	Wt range	Avg wt	Price range	Avg price
Heifers — Medium and Large 1-2 · Unweaned$ per cwt · actual wt
3	250–300	283	590.00	590.00
31	300–350	336	517.50–560.00	534.18
36	350–400	381	445.00–507.50	487.46
17	400–450	422	455.00–465.00	460.50
43	450–500	478	395.00–420.00	413.52
40	500–550	519	385.00–412.50	389.97
2	600–650	638	358.00	358.00
1	950–1000	980	293.00	293.00

Head	Wt range	Avg wt	Price range	Avg price
Heifers — Medium and Large 1 · Replacement$ per cwt · actual wt
92	500–550	512	479.50	479.50

Head	Wt range	Avg wt	Price range	Avg price
Heifers — Medium and Large 1 · Full$ per cwt · actual wt
5	450–500	463	405.00	405.00
11	550–600	552	365.00	365.00
15	600–650	642	361.00	361.00

Head	Wt range	Avg wt	Price range	Avg price
Heifers — Large 1 · Unweaned$ per cwt · actual wt
11	450–500	476	335.00	335.00
36	550–600	588	346.00	346.00
5	650–700	685	326.00	326.00

Head	Wt range	Avg wt	Price range	Avg price
Heifers — Medium and Large 1-2$ per cwt · actual wt
5	700–750	747	343.00	343.00
3	950–1000	970	293.00	293.00

Head	Wt range	Avg wt	Price range	Avg price
Heifers — Medium and Large 2 · Unweaned$ per cwt · actual wt
2	250–300	275	400.00	400.00

Head	Wt range	Avg wt	Price range	Avg price
Heifers — Medium 1-2$ per cwt · actual wt
2	650–700	663	340.00	340.00
10	700–750	719	340.00	340.00

Head	Wt range	Avg wt	Price range	Avg price
Heifers — Medium 2$ per cwt · actual wt
12	550–600	570	347.50	347.50
6	600–650	613	342.50	342.50

Head	Wt range	Avg wt	Price range	Avg price
Steers — Medium and Large 1 · Unweaned$ per cwt · actual wt
15	300–350	318	680.00–690.00	688.62
11	350–400	368	600.00–622.50	613.00
39	400–450	421	550.00–585.00	569.20
123	450–500	469	502.50–587.50	542.02
74	500–550	517	475.00–515.00	493.55
197	550–600	568	428.00–472.00	454.74
168	600–650	621	416.00–431.00	424.04
21	650–700	673	397.00–400.00	397.42
71	700–750	729	373.00–401.00	384.61

Head	Wt range	Avg wt	Price range	Avg price
Steers — Medium and Large 1-2 · Unweaned$ per cwt · actual wt
3	150–200	197	750.00	750.00
2	250–300	293	690.00	690.00
33	350–400	384	537.50–572.00	567.26
19	400–450	431	475.00–560.00	534.54
9	450–500	461	450.00–510.00	471.75
13	500–550	538	450.00–470.00	462.29
37	550–600	558	417.00–429.00	423.93
5	600–650	631	399.00	399.00
10	650–700	671	380.00–384.00	381.60

Head	Wt range	Avg wt	Price range	Avg price
Steers — Medium and Large 1-2$ per cwt · actual wt
11	700–750	725	367.00	367.00

Head	Wt range	Avg wt	Price range	Avg price
Steers — Medium and Large 1 · Full$ per cwt · actual wt
9	550–600	556	420.00	420.00
18	950–1000	979	320.00	320.00

Head	Wt range	Avg wt	Price range	Avg price
Steers — Large 1 · Unweaned$ per cwt · actual wt
2	350–400	360	540.00	540.00
12	500–550	531	420.00	420.00
3	550–600	595	400.00	400.00
30	600–650	636	380.00–388.00	382.03
12	700–750	703	373.00	373.00
5	750–800	796	340.00	340.00

Head	Wt range	Avg wt	Price range	Avg price
Steers — Medium 1 · Unweaned$ per cwt · actual wt
3	500–550	515	480.00	480.00

Head	Wt range	Avg wt	Price range	Avg price
Bulls — Medium and Large 1 · Unweaned$ per cwt · actual wt
11	350–400	393	570.00	570.00
2	550–600	578	390.00	390.00
2	600–650	608	390.00	390.00

Replacement Cattle

As reported

Age	Stage	Head	Wt range	Avg wt	Price range	Avg price
Bred Cows — Medium and Large 1$ per head · actual wt
Young (2-4 yrs)	1st/2nd Stage (1-6 mo)	3	—	1,138	3,625.00	3,625.00
Young/Middle Aged (2-8 yrs)	1st/2nd Stage (1-6 mo)	13	—	1,140	3,300.00	3,300.00

Age	Stage	Head	Wt range	Avg wt	Price range	Avg price
Stock Cows — Medium and Large 1$ per cwt · actual wt
(<2 yrs)	Open	13	—	982	245.00–317.50	301.40
Young (2-4 yrs)	Open	12	—	1,095	187.00–299.00	262.75

Age	Stage	Head	Wt range	Avg wt	Price range	Avg price
Stock Cows — Medium and Large 1-2$ per cwt · actual wt
(<2 yrs)	Open	4	—	908	212.50–272.00	251.43
Young (2-4 yrs)	Open	5	—	1,088	202.50–256.00	221.68

Age	Stage	Head	Wt range	Avg wt	Price range	Avg price
Stock Cows — Medium and Large 1 · Thin Fleshed$ per cwt · actual wt
Aged (>8 yrs)	Open	8	—	1,203	185.00	185.00

Slaughter Cattle

As reported

Head	Wt range	Avg wt	Price range	Avg price
Cows — Breaker 75-80% · Return to Feed$ per cwt · actual wt
15	—	1,581	175.00–178.00	177.56
2	—	1,625	164.00–165.00	164.50

Head	Wt range	Avg wt	Price range	Avg price
Cows — Breaker 75-80%$ per cwt · actual wt
4	—	1,726	166.50–169.50	168.24
2	—	1,725	164.00	164.00
2	—	1,755	174.00	174.00

Head	Wt range	Avg wt	Price range	Avg price
Cows — Lean 85-90% · Return to Feed$ per cwt · actual wt
58	—	1,254	168.00–178.00	170.66
17	—	1,227	127.00–168.00	160.34

Head	Wt range	Avg wt	Price range	Avg price
Cows — Lean 85-90% · Light Weight$ per cwt · actual wt
1	—	975	100.00	100.00
1	—	935	120.00	120.00

Head	Wt range	Avg wt	Price range	Avg price
Cows — Lean 85-90%$ per cwt · actual wt
11	—	1,139	112.00–120.00	115.51
10	—	1,095	102.50–107.50	103.26

Head	Wt range	Avg wt	Price range	Avg price
Cows — Boner 80-85% · Return to Feed$ per cwt · actual wt
11	—	1,381	143.00–166.00	162.46
24	—	1,457	180.00–186.00	182.96
68	—	1,418	168.00–180.00	175.07

Head	Wt range	Avg wt	Price range	Avg price
Cows — Boner 80-85%$ per cwt · actual wt
1	—	1,415	140.00	140.00
6	—	1,493	124.00–164.00	141.51

Head	Wt range	Avg wt	Price range	Avg price
Bulls$ per cwt · actual wt
2	—	2,105	200.00–201.00	200.47
1	—	1,650	183.00	183.00
2	—	1,873	163.00–176.00	169.73

Head	Wt range	Avg wt	Price range	Avg price
Bulls — Return to Feed$ per cwt · actual wt
1	—	1,535	169.00	169.00

Head, weight ranges, average weights and price ranges are exactly as USDA AMS filed them — nothing recomputed, nothing rounded — in USDA's own reporting structure. This is RaisedBeef's rendering of that data, not a copy of USDA's document.